CVM second-year student Kelvin Urday, who serves as the MVMA student liaison, joins MVMA President Scott Fray, DVM, and Ellen Ratcliff, DVM, in calling on state lawmakers in the Capitol.

A group of students from the MU College of Veterinary Medicine joined 13 practicing veterinarians from around the state to attend the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association Advocacy Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City on Feb. 17. After receiving a briefing about pending legislation of interest to the MVMA, and strategies for approaching legislators, the students had the opportunity to meet with state lawmakers in their offices to discuss issues of interest to the veterinary profession.

Several of the students who took part in the event said it gave them an increased awareness of the need to have a voice in public policy formation.

"I had no idea what an impact a constituent can have on his or her elected officials,” said first-year veterinary student Naomi Turner. “The representatives and senators see lobbyists from all over the state every day, but it sure took them by surprise – a pleasant surprise, that is – to have someone from their own jurisdiction come in and talk to them about an issue near and dear to home. For me, Advocacy Day was an inspiration as to the power that just one voter can have in state politics.”

Prior to making calls on their legislators, veterinarians and veterinary students gathered at the Capital City Steakhouse in Jefferson City for a briefing on legislative issues.

“This experience allowed me to completely understand the role of the veterinarian in legislative affairs,” added second-year student Kelvin Urday, who serves as the MVMA student liaison and is the vice president of the Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Medical Association at MU. “I was able to speak with several veterinarians and I even got to meet a few legislators. I look forward to taking an even greater role within the MVMA and in addressing the challenges in our profession.”

Other participants in the event included first-year students Rachael Cohen, Lauren Wineinger and Ashley French; second-year students Sheila Latifi and Maria Evola; and fourth-year students Laura Nafe, Claire Beckmeyer, Melissa Austin and Cia Johnson.

“I really enjoyed myself and was happy to interact with the MVMA board and other Missouri veterinarians who are interested in public policy formation,” said Austin. Austin is also an MVMA student liaison and will be externing in Washington, D.C. with the American Veterinary Medical Association. “I think it is important to get veterinarians involved in the political process earlier rather than later in their careers. … It is also important to consider the many ways of participating in the political process that do not always require visiting the Capitol.”